The primary dentition consists of 20 teeth, while the permanent dentition consists of 32 teeth. Each of the primary molars is replaced by permanent premolar teeth, and the arrival of these 12 teeth gives the permanent dentition 32 teeth. The permanent dentition is made up of 16 teeth in the upper jaw and 16 in the mandible. In each arch there are two central incisors, two lateral incisors, two canines, four premolars and six molars.
The primary molars are replaced by the permanent premolars, and the permanent molars come out after those molars. The incisors of the primary teeth are essentially smaller morphological versions of the incisors of the permanent teeth. Molars are the largest primary teeth and play an important role in chewing. Composed of 20 teeth, they are labeled according to an alphabetical system rather than the numbering system used for permanent teeth.
Second molars: The second mandibular molars (tooth T, K) morphologically resemble the first mandibular molar of permanent teeth. The crowns of the primary molars have a more bulbous morphology and the roots are more divergent than those of the permanent molars. Second molars: Morphologically, the second primary maxillary molars (teeth A, J) resemble the first permanent maxillary molar. It should be noted that the first primary molar has a less pronounced mesiobuccal cusp compared to the first permanent molar.
Primary teeth are placeholders for permanent teeth, so it is not recommended that any teeth be removed in time or it could affect the alignment of your child's permanent teeth. There is variability based on genetic and environmental factors, but most children will have 28 permanent teeth by age 13.
